Premier League: Newcastle takeover could be complete this week
The Premier League are reportedly on the verge of giving the green light to Newcastle for their proposed £300million takeover to go ahead.
Back in April, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley agreed to sell the club to a Saudi-led consortium.
The deal has since come under heavy scrutiny with government officials, human rights groups and BeIN Sports all calling for it to not be approved.
With mounting opposition to the deal, concern was growing on Tyneside that the Premier League may decide to rule against the takeover.
However, the Daily Mail are reporting the Premier League is gearing up to make an announcement, which could come this week.
It is claimed the decisive factor could be the involvement of the UK government who want to strengthen their relationship with the Saudis.
Last week, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab appeared to give his backing to the deal going ahead, saying: “There’s a proper process that we’ve got in place to look at everything from the competition aspects to other questions of propriety.
“I think it’s right that that legal due process, with all its safeguards that it’s got in place, is followed.
“We have this debate about takeovers in this country, and I think we should follow the rule of law.
“We had the same debate in relation to (Roman) Abramovich and Chelsea. I think it’s right that we welcome engagement, investment into football in this country.
“Everyone’s pleased to see the Premier League back up and running, and also that there are legal safeguards to make sure it’s done the proper way.
“This country is an open, outward-looking country. We’ve got investment from all around the world, but we do need safeguards in place.
“We’ve seen that in relation to 5G, takeovers that national security and other questions of propriety are properly scrutinised.
“We’ve got the due process and laws in place to do that. We have to trust the institutions we’ve got to deliver that.”
News of an imminent resolution will come as a relief to all involved at Newcastle, including manager Steve Bruce, who has had to keep his staff and players focused on the restart of the Premier League.
He said: “I am only reading from afar but yeah you can feel for everybody concerned. For me, I can’t influence it. I can’t comment on it.
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“I am glad about that because I can’t be sitting here telling you anything different. All I can influence is, let’s not make it an excuse on the playing angle.
“It is what it is. We are paid to perform on a Saturday or Sunday. My staff have to ignore stuff that’s speculation and get on with the job in hand.”